Business Development & Partnerships Manager

Many Rivers Microfinance; Sydney; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Many Rivers is seeking an energetic, commercially minded Business Development & Partnerships Manager to drive new revenue and build strategic partnerships that expand our impact across Australia. You will open doors, create opportunities and convert relationships into long-term collaborations that support social and economic outcomes.

Reporting to the Head of Revenue & Partnerships, you will maintain a healthy pipeline, lead proposal development, and represent Many Rivers at events.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in business development, partnerships or revenue generation.
• Ability to identify and pursue funding/partnership opportunities across sectors.
• Strong written and verbal communication for proposals and pitches.
• Experience engaging senior decision-makers and stakeholders.
• CRM experience and pipeline management.

Responsibilities

• Identify, qualify and pursue new funding and partnership opportunities across corporate, philanthropic and government sectors.
• Build trusted relationships with prospective and existing partners and identify mutual value.
• Lead development of high-quality proposals, tenders and funding submissions.
• Represent Many Rivers at meetings, industry events and forums.
• Maintain CRM records and monitor pipeline performance.
• Contribute to a high-performing, collaborative Revenue & Partnerships team.

Skills

Business development

Partnerships

Account management

Sales

CRM

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Business Development & Partnerships Manager

Purpose‑led organisation | National impact | Grow strategic revenue partnerships across Australia

Many Rivers is seeking an energetic, commercially minded business development professional to drive new revenue growth and build strategic partnerships that expand our impact across Australia. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys opening doors, creating opportunities and converting relationships into long‑term partnerships that enable meaningful social and economic outcomes.

The Business Development & Partnerships Manager plays a pivotal role in identifying, developing and securing new funding opportunities across corporate, philanthropic and government sectors. Success in this role will be measured by the growth of the qualified funding pipeline, new revenue secured, strategic partnerships established and the quality of funding proposals submitted.

About Many Rivers

Many Rivers is a national for‑purpose organisation providing accessible business development support, community economic development services, pro‑bono legal advice and microfinance business loans. Our work helps people build sustainable livelihoods and contribute to stronger local economies.

Guided by Care, Respect and Accountability, we create lasting impact for clients, families and communities across Australia, with a strong focus on Indigenous Australians and regional, rural and remote communities.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Head of Revenue & Partnerships, the Business Development & Partnerships Manager is responsible for driving new revenue growth and developing strategic partnerships that support Many Rivers’ mission. This hands‑on role requires a proactive, relationship‑driven professional who can identify opportunities, engage senior decision‑makers and convert prospects into long‑term partners.

You will build and maintain a healthy pipeline of qualified opportunities, lead high‑quality proposal development, and represent Many Rivers at industry events, stakeholder forums and partnership discussions. You will work closely with internal teams to progress high‑value opportunities and support the achievement of annual revenue targets.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, qualify and pursue new funding and partnership opportunities across corporate, philanthropic and government sectors.
• Build trusted relationships with prospective and existing partners, understanding their priorities and identifying opportunities for mutual value creation.
• Lead the development of high‑quality proposals, tenders, grant applications and partnership pitches, translating impact data into compelling funding propositions.
• Represent Many Rivers at meetings, presentations, industry events and stakeholder forums.
• Maintain accurate CRM records, monitor pipeline performance and contribute market intelligence to support strategic decision‑making.
• Contribute to a high‑performing, collaborative Revenue & Partnerships team, demonstrating initiative, accountability and a solutions‑focused approach.

About You

You are an accomplished business development professional with experience in partnerships, account management, sales or revenue generation. You bring strong commercial instincts, curiosity and a proactive approach to identifying opportunities. You are confident engaging senior executives, developing tailored partnership concepts and converting prospects into long‑term relationships.

You have excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, including experience preparing proposals, tenders or funding submissions. You are organised, resilient and able to manage multiple priorities while contributing positively to a team environment. Experience engaging corporate organisations, foundations, trusts or government stakeholders is highly regarded.

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated experience in business development, partnerships, account management, sales or revenue generation.
• Proven track record of developing and converting opportunity pipelines.
• Strong proposal, tender or funding submission writing capability.
• Experience engaging senior decision‑makers and stakeholders.
• Strong organisational skills and CRM experience.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Experience engaging corporate organisations, foundations, trusts or government stakeholders.
• Experience within professional services, banking, consulting, financial services, education, community services or social impact sectors.
• Understanding of social impact measurement, outcome reporting and funder reporting requirements.

Why Join Many Rivers?

• Purpose‑led work with direct social and economic impact.
• Professional development support and a 5‑day annual conference.
• Paid leave between Christmas and New Year.